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Running in D.C.

Posted on August 28, 2012June 8, 2016 by admin

I recently had the privilege and pleasure of spending the day in Washington. D.C. for talks and workshops on running at the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol. The message is all about learning good running form.  And in fact, this was my second trip there.

Dr. Roberto Ruiz and Christopher Fall are true innovators at the Pentagon and direct the Runners Clinic there. Both have attended our “New Trends in the Prevention of Running Injuries” conference in Shepherdstown, WV, and they are fully aware of the issues of running form, core weakness, and footwear as they relate to injury and performance.

I always learn from Roberto and Chris and love their approach to running. I also presented a talk to 50 military members on healthier running.

Then it was off to the U.S.  Capitol for an outdoor clinic with the Capitol Hill running club at the invitation of Major Maren Calvert, who works as an aid for Republican Congressman Ken Calvert (no relation) from southern California.  A group of about 50 gathered to learn and practice better running form, assess their strength and mobility, and do some fun drills. (See below for the “Run Away” drill.)

We finished the day with a mellow group run on the Washington Mall from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial.

A great day…and I hope to be back soon.

The drill with the tether is the "Run Away" drill and forces a runner to cue and engage the glutes in a "push" motion. Power in running comes from the glutes and all runners have them, they just need to wake them up and use them. No high-tech device is needed, just an old bike tube with the valve stem cut off for safety. This is a great drill to do with teams.

4 thoughts on “Running in D.C.”

  1. Roberto says:
    August 28, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    Mark,
    The pleasure was ours having you come a second time and present your very informative, motivating, and thought provoking talk.
    Thank you,
    Roberto

    Reply
  2. Jim Hixson says:
    August 28, 2012 at 7:44 pm

    I like the picture of people at the Capitol/Capital running from office! If the military adopted the principles of proper running form the effect would be exponentially. As it is now, most veterans I have encountered in a retail setting say they learned to hate running by running for physical training in the service. Some current service men and women have had the good fortune of having more progressive personnel in key positions, people who have noticed the effect proper form has on injury reduction, and these men and women enjoy running.

    Reply
  3. Joseph Migliuri says:
    September 1, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Dr. Mark,

    Great clinic. I was the USUHS/Air Force med student with the plantar fasciosis. Hopefully I’ll run into you again. I like the idea of Air Force docs outrunning the other service docs, hopefully I can continue the trend with your advice. Thanks!

    2nd Lt. Joe Migliuri, MS-4, USAF
    Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

    Reply
  4. Simon Duennenberger says:
    September 2, 2012 at 8:46 pm

    Dr. Mark,

    Will you once come over to Switzerland for some clinics? It would be great!

    Reply

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